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Time of India
29-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pune Is No City for People With Disabilities
1 2 First-hand Accounts I have been living in Pune since 2017 and the roads have only become worse over time. Walking, and especially crossing junctions like University Chowk, is now a tedious and scary task as someone who is visually impaired. Vehicles travel at high speeds and footpaths have obstacles like loose wires or stall, making it difficult to navigate them. I live in Undri and the situation is terrible here. I have had near-escapes while walking in the area — Sanjog Kumawat | Social Worker & Teacher ____________________ You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Accessibility for all is a rare concept in India. People on crutches find it difficult to navigate streets, let alone for someone like me, who is in a wheelchair. Bollards are a big problem in particular. Pavements are mostly not continuous and if there is a slope to get on, there isn't a way to get down. I have to think 10 times before I decide to step out to run any personal errand. Use of public transport is out of the question — Reena Gupta | IT Professional ______________________ Footpaths and streets in Pune are extremely dangerous. They are all uneven, blocked or damaged. While many are not built properly, others are not maintained and languish in disrepair. There is not a single accessible footpath across areas. Being in a wheelchair, I have to think twice before going to any public area. Footover bridges that are already built would be of great help for crossing, if only they had functional lifts — Aasma Abdul Jamadar | Insurance Company Employee _________________________ My biggest concern using footpaths across the city as a visually impaired person is that there is no way for me to know if there is a random hawker or stall in my way. In such cases, I am forced to walk on the road, which is terrifying in the monsoon as curbsides are often filled with water and have potholes. Sometimes, my guiding stick also gets stuck in half-open manhole covers. Tactile markings end abruptly, making navigation troublesome — Akshay Mohite | Assistive Technology Trainer The streets of Pune are already difficult to navigate. From broken and uneven footpaths to debris dumped on pavements, unmaintained bollards, hanging livewires, potholes, waterlogging… it's a veritable mess presented by civic apathy. Now, try to imagine traversing these same stretches without the power of sight, hearing, or the ability to jump over the umpteen obstacles at every nook and corner — nigh impossible. Fergusson College (FC) Road, Tilak Road, Swargate Chowk, Camp's MG Road, and Pune railway station road are five bustling key routes that represent the hard reality of missing facilities for persons with disabilities (PwDs). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The History The Noodle Box Undo These dismal findings have been highlighted by NGO Ekansh Trust, which conducted an accessibility survey of public areas on the said five key routes in May-June this year. The on-ground survey was done by students of the BKPS College of Architecture, assessing existing accessibility conditions for PwDs, checking missing facilities, and identifying areas that are non-compliant with norms or pose challenges to the differently abled. The study also recommended interventions to improve access and safety and laid out design criteria to support barrier-free movement and interaction with public infrastructure. As part of the survey, the architecture students visited the five stretches and tried to navigate them as a PwD — either in a wheelchair or blindfolded — to truly understand the difficulties faced by this demographic. "I was one of the students sitting in a wheelchair and it was genuinely tough to be mobile. As we conducted the survey, I was able to observe for the first time how much the streets do not cater to PwDs. I had not even noticed this before. This time, I could feel the smallest inconsistency on the road," said Anwar Inamdar, one of the participating students. Anita Iyer, founder of Ekansh Trust and an accessibility auditor for Govt of India, explained that an 'accessibility survey' is a systemic assessment of the built environment and public services to evaluate them for this criterion. This includes pedestrian pathways, crossings, transit points and service interactions. "In India, accessibility is a legal obligation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016, but the norms are not followed properly," she told TOI, adding, "The Act mandates that public infrastructure and services be designed and maintained to ensure equal access for all citizens. Our survey seeks to evaluate compliance with accessibility standards, including those laid down in the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility issued by the ministry of housing and urban affairs. " The latest survey specifically assessed challenges faced by the visually impaired, hearing and speech impaired, those with mobility or locomotor challenges and those with intellectual disabilities. Same issues crop up, over and over again According to the participating students, most city roads they studied have similar issues: improperly laid tactile tiles, variations of materials used to create road surfaces causing undulations, worn-off tiles, discontinuous paving, inconsistencies in heights/widths, etc. "Every stretch had almost the same flaws, but in some areas, it was worse. Swargate junction, for instance," said Sharavani Natuskar, one of the surveying students, adding, "Undulations are common across all stretches. Wide footpaths suddenly become narrow, like at MG Road; tactile markings end in trees or encroachments, such as on Tilak Road. On most stretches, bus stops are right in the middle of walkways, without any marking to indicate their presence. " She elaborated, "Another issue is spacing between bollards and continuity of tactile pavements. According to guidelines, a tactile pavement should guide a visually impaired individual to understand when to keep moving forward, when to stop and when there is an obstacle ahead. However, tactile tiles stop abruptly and instead are continuous outside entry and exit points of buildings. They should be different to denote a driveway. " Debris, cables, DP boxes are all obstacles In several areas, students noted that garbage, webs of cables, open wires and debris from ongoing constructions have taken over footpaths. "This was particularly a major hassle in Swargate. There was a lot of unattended construction material or debris lying on footpaths. Many stretches in the same area don't even have footpaths; or existing ones have been taken over by blockages. It is truly difficult for a PwD to navigate these patches," Natuskar emphasised. Another participating student, Shravani Utpal, said, "We realised a lot about the challenges that the community faces. It painted a raw picture about what services are not provided for PwDs and why many are reluctant to step out. I sat in a wheelchair to navigate some stretches and found it extremely uncomfortable." Some other common obstacles found on roads in the survey were transformer boxes on pavements, uneven manhole covers, ponding (pools of water) and illegally parked vehicles. The exercise also revealed challenges that are rarely considered. Student team member Chinmayee Khatal told TOI, "The fact that the streets are so noisy and have so many disturbances was not something we typically account for. However, this can be so difficult for a PwD. Many of us don't give this a second thought while going about our day." Joint efforts crucial to improve accessibility In essence, the survey revealed that there is a serious lack of coordination among civic contractors and service providers. "This poor coordination creates infrastructure that is difficult to use for PwDs. An efficient communication framework could help ensure uninterrupted pedestrian movement. Also, enforcing penalties for public space violations is crucial," pointed out Natuskar. The survey's findings were presented in an exhibition on July 25, which was attended by several officials of Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) road department. Chief engineer of the department, Aniruddha Pawaskar, admitted to TOI that much needs to be done in this sphere. "It was a very useful exhibition. There's definitely a lot to learn for all officials in the department. We issued a circular asking our staffers to attend this event for better sensitisation. It may not happen overnight, but my team and I will make a new set of guidelines and practices that must be followed and circulate it," he said. "Sensitisation will take time. More importantly it has to seep all the way down to the masons. My junior engineers cannot be present at all ongoing projects 24x7, so we will also see how this aspect can be tackled. We will lay down guidelines. There is a need to practice and implement these with a sense of empathy," he added. Ekansh Trust's Iyer weighed in and said, "Accessibility is not taught in any course fully and that is where the problem lies. Even though basic guidelines exist and are easily available, not all officials are aware of them and not everything is taught in colleges either. Architects and planners need to interact with PwDs to truly understand their problems. There is a huge need for awareness drives. Simply pinning the problem on the road department is not the solution. " The survey was conducted under the supervision of Abhijit Natu and coordinated by professor Umesh Suryawanshi. Other team members included Vivek Patil, Pranali Salunke, Omkar Bhosale and Aditi Borse.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Row as AAP Delhi spokesperson named Punjab Pollution Control Board chief
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Monday appointed the party's Delhi spokesperson, Reena Gupta, as chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), triggering a row with opposition parties slamming the move to name a non-Punjabi for the top post. Apart from Gupta, the Punjab government on Monday appointed 31 people, mostly from the AAP, as chairmen, directors, and members in various government boards and corporations of the state. Gupta will be the first women chairperson of PPCB and 27th overall since the formation of the board. According to sources privy to the developments, Gupta was the only candidate from Delhi for the post of PPCB chairperson. 'The remaining 27 were mostly from Punjab, including top engineers and two former IAS officers,' the official said, pleading anonymity. Chief secretary KAP Sinha-led selection panel on Friday had shortlisted the incumbent PPCB chairperson Adarsh Pal Vig and Thapar University professor Amit Dhir, apart from Reena Gupta for the post. However, chief minister Bhagwant Mann selected the name of Reena Gupta and her appointment was notified on Monday, the official added. Established in 1975, the PPCB is a nodal agency in matters related to enforcing environmental regulations and managing pollution in Punjab. It is also the nodal figure during farm fires and one of the vital agencies which formulates policies to tackle stubble burning. As per Gupta's online profile, she has served as an adviser to the government of Delhi during the AAP government and also has experience working with the World Bank. She was also the AAP spokesperson in Delhi. 'Reena has worked extensively for the party and advised the Delhi government during the AAP regime on the issues of environment, education and other fields. She has vast knowledge on the issue of environment, and her selection is on merit', said an AAP leader who didn't wish to be named. Another non-Punjabi, Deepak Chauhan, has been made chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board. The opposition parties have slammed the move. Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said two non-Punjabis have been made chairperson of important bodies. 'Deepak Chauhan, ex-PA to backroom boss Sandeep Pathak, hailing from UP, is now chairman of Punjab's Large Industrial Development Board. He has no industrial experience. Meanwhile, Reena Gupta — another non-Punjabi & Former Delhi SEIAA member — is now chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board. 'Nepotism? No no… it's called Badlav. ', he said on X. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that CM Mann has surrendered two of the top posts in the state to outsiders. 'Now he (CM Mann) has surrendered two key posts - Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board & Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board to acolytes of Kejriwal,' Sukhbir said on X. 'Never before in the history of the state have outsiders been handed over all important posts,' Badal added on X.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AAP appoints Board heads, draws flak from opposition
Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Deepak Chauhan was on Monday appointed as the chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, while Reena Gupta has been named the chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). The appointments, however, evoked criticism, with opposition leaders slamming the AAP govt for picking two "non-Punjabis" for these positions. While Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said "never before in the history of the state have outsiders been handed over all important posts", leader of opposition in Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa mocked the Bhagwant Mann govt's "badlav (change)" claim. "What a masterstroke by CM Bhagwant Mann. Deepak Chouhan – ex-PA to AAP backroom boss Sandeep Pathak, hailing from UP – is now chairman of Punjab's Large Industrial Development Board. No industrial experience? Not Punjabi? Loyalty over merit? And yes, all perks funded by Punjabis' hard-earned taxes. Meanwhile, Reena Gupta – another non-Punjabi and former Delhi SEIAA member – is now chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board. Nepotism? No, no… it's called Badlav," Bajwa posted on X. Another Congress leader and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira said: "Shocking to learn that a non-Punjabi (Chauhan), probably belonging to Uttar Pradesh and personal assistant to Sandip Pathak, the Rajya Sabha MP of AAP, has been appointed as chairman of the Punjab Industrial Corporation by CM Mann," said Khaira. "Firstly, it's an insult to all those AAP volunteers who have worked for the party and secondly, it shows AAP is so bankrupt of leadership that they couldn't find a suitable person from Punjab for this office," he added. Sukhbir, in a post on X, said: "Chief minister @BhagwantMann has again shown that he is ready to sell his conscience and his state to @ArvindKejriwal to remain in his chair. Now he has surrendered two key posts – chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board to acolytes of Kejriwal and the matter's henchman @SandeepPathak04 — Reena Gupta (advisor to Kejriwal and secretary, Delhi AAP) and Deepak Chauhan (UP-based aide of Pathak). " AAP spokesperson Pawan Kumar Tinu also figures in the list of 31 persons appointed as chairman, vice chairmen, and directors in various govt boards and corporations. Tinu, who unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election from Jalandhar, has been named the chairman of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank. Prabhvir Brar has been appointed as the chairman of PUNSUP, while Tejpal Singh Gill has been appointed as the chairman of PUNGRAIN. Additionally, nearly 20 vice-chairmen and directors have been appointed across different boards and corporations. The govt has also appointed two new members to Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Posting the lists on his X account, chief minister Bhagwant Mann congratulated the new appointees and asked them to carry out their responsibilities with diligence and honesty. Sukhbir, though, claimed that the AAP leadership wanted to "loot" Punjab. "The intention is clear. The @AamAadmiParty leadership in Delhi wants to loot Punjab's industry and fill its coffers. Bhagwant Mann has become a willing tool in this systematic policy of plunder," he said. Questioning the appointments, Congress' Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi posted on X: "CM Bhagwant Mann has completely surrendered the chair to his Delhi bosses. Punjab will not accept such appointments." Gandhi was commenting on a post by RTI activist Manik Goyal, who posted: "Kejriwal's Delhi gang continues to tighten its grip on Punjab with the appointment of Reena Gupta as Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. This is one of the most crucial boards in the state. How can a non-Punjabi, with no understanding of Punjab, be appointed to such a key position? Did CM Bhagwant Mann not find a single capable engineer from Punjab to lead this board, or is Kejriwal running the Punjab govt now?" Several AAP leaders had been waiting for these appointments as a reward for the grassroots level workers who contributed to the party during the last assembly and Lok Sabha elections. "The fact that these appointments are now being made indicated that the party leadership is bracing up for the next electoral battle," said an AAP leader. AAP leader Reena Gupta replaced Adarsh Pal Vig as the chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). She is believed to be the first woman to head the body ever since it was set up in 1975. A separate order was issued for her appointment by the secretary, department of science and technology and environment, on Monday. Criticising the decision, Khaira posted on X: "Bhagwant Mann's double blunder, after committing a serious mistake of appointing a non-Punjabi as chairman of the Industrial Board he has now handed over the most vital position of chairperson, Punjab Pollution Control Board, to one Reena Gupta, secretary, AAP Delhi, and former advisor to the Kejriwal govt." "Both appointments clearly show that Arvind Kejriwal wants to control the industry of Punjab through his henchmen… This blatantly wrong appointment should be scrapped immediately, and an eminent Punjabi should be appointed to this vital position," he added. Vidhan Sabha Panels (BOX) Punjab assembly speaker on Monday nominated MLAs as chairpersons of various House committees. AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar will head the public accounts committee, while Manjit Singh Bilaspur will be the chairperson for the committee on estimates. Deputy speaker Jai Krishan Singh will be the ex-officio chairman of the House committee and Budh Ram will head the committee on panchayati raj institutions. MSID:: 121272867 413 |
